@Emily C. I am not sure which specific effects you are referring to, but the only one that we used as a base for inspiration is credited in the demo and also in the article (like we always do). We are unaware of any existing effects that look exactly the same but if you could point them out we'd be glad to add credit as the "pioneer" of that style/effect. At Codrops we have no intention whatsoever to discredit anybody in the "community" or to "steal" anybody's work.